Hire a student or alumni
Employers like you can benefit greatly from hiring an NSCC student or alumni or partnering with NSCC for a student’s work integrated learning experience. Funding is available for employers who hire students and recent grads.
Post an opportunity
Interested in hiring one of our students or graduates? Interested in having one of our students for work experience?
Post a job or co-op opportunity.
To host an Employer Information Session, please complete this form and an NSCC representative will follow up with you.
Benefits of hiring students
- Work-ready students for extra support during busy periods of the year or for special projects.
- Opportunities to evaluate and identify potential future employees as part of your long-term recruitment strategy.
- Fresh perspectives that students bring to your workforce.
- Opportunity to foster the next generation of employees by providing them with valuable career-related work experiences.
- Funding is available.
Types of work experience
We offer nine broad categories of work integrated learning experiences that prepare students for their professional or occupational field of study. These are courses in a student’s program of study, as such they occur at specific times of the year and have learning outcomes attached to them that you would be helping to support while the student was with your organization.
- 5 to 8 weeks (paid or unpaid), length determined by program of study
- Field experiences provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills outside of the classroom
- Over 100 programs offer field experiences
- Most programs provide field experiences during the spring (late April through May), although schedules vary by program
- Duration and term (fall/winter/spring/summer) varies depending on the program
- Professional practice is offered in the majority of our Health programs
- Professional practice is required for a professional license or designation (including clinical placement, practicums, preceptorships, etc.)
- Typically 12 to 16 weeks (paid), length determined by program of study
- Over 50 diploma programs offer a co-op course (mandatory or elective)
- Co-op is mandatory in Culinary Management*, Tourism Management and Hotel and Restaurant Management
- NSCC follows Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada guidelines
- Takes place in the spring/summer term only
- 14 weeks (paid)
- Our International Business and Oceans Technology programs include an internship during their final term of study
- Duration and term (fall/winter/spring/summer) varies depending on the program (paid or unpaid).
- Many of our marine programs have a sea time requirement whose guidelines are set out by Transport Canada.
- Sea time can be completed on board Canadian and international merchant ships.
- International Students are responsible for securing their own sea time.
- Explore careers through job shadowing and informational interviews, gaining valuable insights into your chosen profession and enhancing your workplace literacy in a specific field.
- Job shadowing: Observe professionals in their work environment to understand their daily tasks and responsibilities.
- Informational interviews: Speak directly with industry experts to gain knowledge about their career paths and enhance your understanding of the field.
- Collaborating with businesses or organizations on real projects that allow you to apply your academic knowledge in practical settings.
- Real-World Application: Work on projects that address actual challenges faced by industry partners, giving you hands-on experience.
- Networking opportunities: Build connections with professionals in your field while enhancing your understanding of industry practices.
- A teaching method that combines learning objectives with community service to enhance your educational experience.
- Community impact: Engage in projects that address community needs while applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations.
- Skill development: Gain valuable skills and insights through hands-on experiences that foster civic responsibility and personal growth.
- Opportunities to develop and manage your own business venture as part of your academic coursework.
- Practical experience: Gain hands-on experience in business planning, management, and operations while bringing your ideas to life.
- Skill building: Enhance your entrepreneurial skills, including marketing, finance, and problem-solving, to prepare for future business endeavors.
Support student learning
If you'd like to support our students with their program in ways other than through our work integrated learning placements, please consider one of the following:
- Sponsor a student - combine financial support and safe, on-the-job training opportunities for students. Learn about the Sponsor-a-Student initiative.
- Be a mentor - join CareerLink, our mentorship and networking platform.
Employer guide
For information needed to partner with NSCC and our students for work integrated learning, please view the employer guide.
Insurance guidelines
Review our Work Integrated Learning - Insurance Guidelines (PDF 114KB) to learn more about partner/employer coverage requirements.
Contact us
Tell us your needs and we’ll help you find a student. Contact us at or book a virtual meeting with the Career and Employment Services team.